Tether Deployment and Retrieving Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A device used for deploying and retrieving tethers. The device includes one or more coiling elements, on which tethers are wound on or from. A tethers-engaging panel is an element to which tethers are connected and held. The panel is located on the coiling element, and can also be removable. In that way tethers can initially be attached to the panel, and only after that the panel is put on the coiling element. Similarly, after deploying tethers, the panel can be detached from its place on the coiling element and after that tethers can be detached from the panel and attached to the kite.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the sport of kite surfing, and morespecifically to a device for deploying and retrieving the tethers(wires) which connect the kite to a spot located some distance away fromthe kite.

Examples of kite surfing are detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,954 B1. Inkite surfing, as well as other sports in which kites are used(skateboards, sand buggies, snow kiting, surfboards to snowboards, andkayaks to cruise ships) a kite is maneuvered by a number of tetherscontrolled by the kite-flyer or surfer.

While preparing the gear for use (surfing or flying the kite), the usermust deploy tethers from the bar, a kite control device to which Tethersare permanently attached, and connect each tether to its unique adequateplace on the kite, making sure there are no tangles or rotations amongtethers, that is, each tether is stretched between the bar and the kitewithout crossing another tether in its course.

When packing the gear, the user (surfer) usually disconnects tethersfrom the kite, takes the bar (to which tethers are permanently attached)and pulls tethers together while winding them around the bar. Whiledoing so, tethers are un-separated and tend to entangle amongthemselves, and thus on the next deployment (unwound from the bar),tethers are not separated (bounded with each other) and therefore mustcarefully be separated and all tangles must untied.

Tethers may be about 25 to 30 meters long; thus disentangling them maybe problematic.

Therefore, preparation of the gear becomes awkward, time consuming anduncomfortable.

The present invention reduces the retrieving of the tethers (whilepacking the surfing gear) as well as deploying them (while preparing forsurfing), by enabling winding and unwinding of the tethers(simultaneously or differentially) while keeping them separated,tangle-free and kept within their relative order (for example left reartether, left forward tether, middle, right forward tether, right reartether).

In that way, packing the gear at the end of the surfing, as well aspreparing the gear in preparation for surfing becomes more comfortable,easier, more efficient and faster.

In prior art, in many (if not all) bars, tethers are connectedpermanently, and in order to keep them tangle-free and in the samerelative order, collecting and deploying them can be done by rolling thewhole bar around its axis, an awkward operation. The present inventionallows collecting, storing and deploying tethers in accordance with barsin use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide the user a device to whichhe connects tethers in a certain order, and wind them simultaneously ordifferentially. Thus, when tethers are unwound from the device they arekept in the same order, and are unbound with each other, separated andtangle-free. The invention may include an electronic battery-operatedwinder to rotate and wind or unwind the tethers.

It is also an object of the invention to allow using the device withdifferent thickness and number of tethers.

It is also an object of the invention to be used in different types ofsport using kite like skateboards to sand buggies, surfboards tosnowboards, and kayaks to cruise ships.

The invention includes a coiling element rotatably mounted on an axisshaft, which allows the coiling element to rotate around its axis.Tethers are connected to the coiling element by a tethers-engagingelement which is located on the coiling element and can be a removablepanel. Once the coiling element is rotated around its axis (using ahandle or an electronic battery-operated winder) tethers are wound ontothe coiling element.

In a similar way, rotating the coiling element in the opposite directionunwinds the tethers and deploys them away from the device. A stopper orbrake mechanism can lock the coiling element and prevent its rotationrelative to mounted sleeves.

Optionally, tethers connected to the device can pass through thecollector, a mechanism which directs tethers to be wound onto thecoiling element while it rotates around its axis.

The invention discloses a device used for deploying and retrievingtethers. The device includes one or more coiling elements, on whichtethers are wound on or from. A tethers-engaging panel is an element towhich tethers are connected and held. The panel is located on thecoiling element, and can also be removable. In that way tethers caninitially be attached to the panel, and only after that the panel is puton the coiling element. Similarly, after deploying tethers, the panelcan be detached from its place on the coiling element and after thattethers can be detached from the panel and attached to the kite.

Optionally, the coiling element can be removable. When tethers areconnected to the tethers-engaging-panel and the panel is attached to thecoiling element, rotating the latter around its axis wound the tethersaround it. When rotating it to the opposite direction tethers can bedeployed away from the device. Before engaging the coiling elementtethers can pass through a collector, which directs tethers onto thecoiling element. Rotating the coiling element can be done by a handle.

Optionally, an electronic battery-operated winder rotates the coilingelement around its axis. The invention may also include a stopper. Whenactivated, the stopper prevents the rotation of the coiling element.When the stopper is neutralized the coiling element can rotate freelyaround its axis, thus allowing the deployment and retrieving of thetethers. The coiling element is rotates within a plastic frame, whichallows the user holding the device in a comfortable way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a kite with tethers and bar, spread on the ground

FIG. 2 illustrates tether wires removed from the kite and attached to atether retrieving device

FIG. 3 illustrates the tether wires being retrieved using the new device

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D detail the tether deployment and retrievingdevice, in a front view, side view, top view and perspective viewrespectively

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D detail the frame (fixed part) of the tetherdeployment and retrieving device, in a front view, side view, top viewand perspective view respectively

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D detail the coiling element (rotating part) ofthe tether deployment and retrieving device, in a front view, side view,top view and perspective view respectively

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of thetether deployment and retrieving device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a system for kite surfing is illustrated, includinga kite 15 with tethers 2 a-2 e and bar 1 a, spread on the ground.

The system may be thus spread on the ground, either before surfing, orat the end of a kite surfing session, when it has to be dismantled.

The user should ensure that the tethers are not entangled therebetweenor crossing each other.

The sequence of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a method for retrieving(collecting) the tether wires at the end of a kite surfing session.

In FIG. 1, the kite 15 may include a Left side indicator 19. Similarly,the bar 1 a may include a Left side indicator 12.

Each of the tether wires 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e is attached to the kite15 using one of the tether ends attaching means 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d,15 e, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates tether wires 2 a-2 e after being removed from thekite and attached to tether ends attaching means 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d,41 e on the rotating part 4.

The end of tether 2 e is removed from means 15 e on the kite 15 andattached to means 41 e on the tether deployment and retrieving device 1.

Similarly, the end of each of the other tethers is removed from itsspecific location on the kite and attached to its specific location onthe device, this to the last tether 2 e in this example, which isremoved from means 15 e on the kite and attached to means 41 e on device1.

The coiling element 4 (the rotatable part of the device 1) is rotatablyconnected to the frame 9 through the frame axis 3.

The frame 9 is the fixed part of device 1, used for holding the devicewhile in use.

The element 4 has a handle arm 7 which allows to rotate it to wrap thetethers thereon. Element 4 further includes coiling element arms 4 a, 4b for holding the wrapped tethers therebetween.

FIG. 3 illustrates the tether wires being retrieved (collected) usingthe new tether deployment and retrieving device 1.

As the user moves toward the bar 1 a in the direction 92 while rotatingthe rotatable part 4 of the device in the direction 91 as shown, thetethers 2 a-2 e are collected off the ground and are wrapped onto therotating part 4.

The user holds the device 1 by its frame 9, while using the handle arm 7to rotate the coiling element 4—this is the rotatable (coiling) part ofthe device.

FIG. 3 shows the direction of rotation 91 of handle 7 and the directionof user's movement 92 toward the bar 1 a, while collecting tethers 2 a-2e.

Part 4 includes two coiling element arms 4 a, 4 b, for holding thewrapped tethers therebetween.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D detail the tether deployment and retrievingdevice, in a front view, side view, top view and perspective viewrespectively.

The device includes a frame 9 (the fixed part)and a coiling element4—this is the rotatable part of the device.

Element 4 includes a coiling element axis hub 4M, which rotates aboutaxis 3 in the frame 9 (see FIG. 5A).

The handle 7 is used to rotate element 4.

The upper tethers docking slot 5 a and the lower tethers docking slot 5f are used to attach the end of tether 2 a to element 4 of the device;additional slots are used for the other tethers.

Frame and Collectors

Frame 9 may be shaped as a one side open frame, made of plastic,aluminum or a similarly stiff but flexible material.

At the upper side of frame 9 is located (see FIG. 5A) Upper grasp handle8 a, and at the lower side of frame 9 is located Lower grasp handle 8 b,both are used to stabilize device 1 while in use. Collector element 6 isa circular plastic arc with an opening on the side, attached to theupper side of frame 9.

Frame axis 3 is a shaft attached to frame 9, and located in between itsupper and lower sides. Near its end it has spring locking pins 3 a.

Coiling Element—Engaging Elements

Coiling element 4 is designed to wound and unwound kite tethers 2 a-2 e,while it rotates around its axis. Coiling element-axis hub 4M is acircular hub located at the center of coiling element 4.

The coiling element 4 can be connected to frame 9 by threading Coilingelement-axis hub 4M onto Frame axis 3, and thus allowing Coiling element4 to rotate around its axis in relative to frame 9.

Once Frame axis 3 is threaded onto Coiling element-axis hub 4M, theSpring locking pins 3 a lock and prevent coiling element 4 from beingpulled out of frame 9. This locking mechanism can be neutralized bypushing the Spring locking pins 3 a, and pulling out and away coilingelement 4 from frame 9.

On coiling element 4 there are designated Upper Tethers docking slots 5a-5 e and Lower Tethers docking slots 5 f-5 j to which kite tethers 2a-2 e can be connected. Both Upper and Lower Tethers docking slots 5 a-5j are located on tethers engaging panel 5 which is threaded onto coilingelement 4. Tethers engaging panel 5 can optionally be removable and canbe detached from coiling element 4.

When coiling element 4 is wounded upon frame 9, it can rotate around itsaxis. Handle 7 is attached to coiling element 4 at its side. Optionally,handle 7 can be removed from coiling element 4, or can be slide throughcoiling element 4 and through frame 9, so it prevents rotation ofcoiling element 4 relative to frame 9, and thus functions as a stoppermechanism 10 a.

Stopper 10 a is a pin located on frame 9. Once it is pushed to beinserted into both frame 9 and into coiling element 4, it preventscoiling element 4 from rotating in relative to frame 9 and thusfunctions as breaking mechanism.

Optionally, the cross section of Frame axis 3 and Coiling element-axishub 4M allow coiling element 4 to move in parallel to its axis ofrotation while rotating around its axis. Thus, while tethers 2 a-2 e arewound on the coiling element 4 it moves from right to the left and backalternately, making tethers 2 a-2 e to be tightly wound, next to eachother and not on top of each other.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D detail the frame (fixed part) of the tetherdeployment and retrieving device 1, in a front view, side view, top viewand perspective view respectively.

The device includes a frame 9 with frame pins 9 a, 9 b; an upper grasphandle 8 a and lower grasp handle 8 b, collector element 6 withcollector entry 6 a, stopper 10 a and frame axis 3. The spring lockingpins 3 a may be used to lock element 4 in place, while allowing itsremoval when a suitable force is applied.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D detail the coiling element (rotating part) ofthe tether deployment and retrieving device, in a front view, side view,top view and perspective view respectively

The structure of collector element 6 causes the tethers to wrap close toeach other on the rotating part, rather than spreading away, orlaterally.

Furthermore, an opening 6 a in its upper part enables the user to inserttethers therethrough using one hand, in one continuous motion.

The opening 6 a is located as shown at one end of the part 6; the part 6is preferably held in such an orientation that opening 6 a is in itsupper part.

The spring locking pins 3 a enables to releasably lock the coilingelement 4 to the axis of the frame 9.

The frame 9 has three sides rather than four, thus forming an openframe. This enables the user to hold the device (actually the frame 9)in one hand, while holding the tether with the other hand and, in onecontinuous motion, inserting it into one of the slots in the rotatingpart.

The structure of the frame 9 enables the following method of use:

1. For collecting the tethers: placing the lower grasp handle 8 b on theabdomen, holding the upper grasp handle 8 a to stabilize the device, androtating the handle arm 7 to collect the tethers.

2.For releasing the tethers: holding the upper grasp handle 8 a andwalking away from the handle bar, while allowing the tethers to spreadon the ground, away from the device.

Preferably, after attaching the end of each tether to its designatedslot, the tethers are collected together in one bundle, and are spreadthe same way.

While collecting tethers, the coiling element 4 rotates about its axis,and the tethers are wound on it.

The coiling element arms 4 a and 4 b cause the tethers, while beingcollected on the device, to settle together on the rotating part, ratherthan spreading laterally.

The upper tethers docking slots 5 a-5 e, and the lower tethers dockingslots 5 f-5 j, are generally V-shaped as shown, having a narrowingwidth, to accommodate tethers of various width and lock them in.

Other tether locking means may be used; it is important to secure eachtether end in a fixed place on the rotating part 4, so that while thelatter rotates around its axis tethers would wound along with it. toallow its collection and, during a subsequent releasing stage, toconnect each tether end to its specific, designated place on thekite—the same place on the kite, that that tether end was attached tobefore it was separated from the kite and attached to the collectingdevice.

Other locking means may be used, for example a S-shaped slot, aone-directional valve mechanism.

A device including a different number of slots may be used, rather thanfive slots as shown in the above embodiment.

The part including the slots 5 a-5 j may be detachable. This is thetether engaging panel 5.

Another embodiment of the device may only include slots on one side ofthe device, for example only slots 5 a-5 e or only slots 5 f-5 j.

Optionally, an electric motor may be used to rotate the coiling element4, rather than manually rotating it using the handle arm 7.

The handle arm 7 may include means for its rotation about itslongitudinal axis. The handle 7 may include means for it to be pushedand inserted into a suitable hole in the frame 9, thus serving as a stopand locking device to prevent the rotating part from rotating.

Method of Use A

In order to use device 1 to retrieve the kite tethers, tether 2 e shouldbe disconnected from the kite 15, and then be attached to its designatedLower Tethers docking slot 5 j and to its designated Upper Tethersdocking slot 5 e.

Other tethers 2 a-2 d should be connected in the same way and thus beattached to coiling element 4. Tethers 2 a-2 e should be connected toLower Tethers docking slot 5 a-5 e and Upper Tethers docking slot 5 f-5j in the same relative order and without crossing each other.

Further important points relating to the use of the device:

The present invention (device) can be implemented using variousembodiments. There also are various methods for using the device, forexample depending on where the user stands with respect to the kite,whether the bar is held upright or upside down, whether the user isright-handed or left-handed, etc. Various users and persons skilled inthe art will understand the various embodiments and ramifications uponreading the present disclosure and the related drawings.

Method 1 for Collecting the Tethers (a Simple Method)

After landing the kite 15, the user places the bar la on the ground, seeFIG. 1. He disconnects the tethers 2 a-2 e and arranges them so thatalong their whole length, they do not cross each other.

The user stands near the endings of tethers 2 a-2 e, facing the bar.

The user holds the device 1 (see FIG. 5A) in such an orientation thatthe upper grasp handle 8 a is up and the opening of the frame 9 is onthe right side, as seen by the user.

The user locates the leftmost tether 2 e connected to the bar 1 a(leftmost as seen by the user), and connects it to the leftmost lowerand upper slots 5 e and 5 j in the device 1.

Similarly, the user locates the second tether 2 d from left of the barand connects it to the second pair of slots 5 d, 5 i—this, withoutcrossing the other wires.

The operation is repeated until all the tethers are connected to device1, each tether to a separate pair of slots. The last tether 2 a isconnected to slots 5 a and 5 f.

Method 2 for Collecting the Tethers (a More Complex Method)

In this description, the directions Left and Right, Forward and Back aredefined to be as used and understood while surfing.

After landing the kite 15, the user places the bar 1 a on the ground,see FIG. 1. He arranges the tethers 2 a-2 e so that, along their wholelength, they do not cross each other. The leftmost tether 2 a, connectedto the end near the indicator of Left side 12 on bar 1 a, is connectedto the small back side of the kite near the indicator of Left side 19 onkite 15.

The second tether 2 b is connected to the forward left side of the kite15. Optionally the middle tether is connected to the middle forward partof the kite, and the rightmost tether 2 e is connected to the right backside of the kite. The user ensures the tethers do not cross each other.

Afterwards, the user points towards the bar 1 a, holding the device 1 sothat its upper grasp handle 8 a (FIG. 5A) is up, and the collector entry6 a (the opening in frame 9) is located in the upper right side as seenby the user.

The user locates the leftmost tether 2 e connected to the bar la(leftmost as seen by the user), disconnects it from its attachment means15 e on kite 15 and connects it to the leftmost lower ad upper slots 5e, 5 j in the device 1.

Similarly, the user locates the second tether 2 d from left of the bar,disconnects it from its attachment means 15 d and connects it to thesecond pair of slots 5 d, 5 i—this, without crossing the other wires.

The operation is repeated until all the tethers are connected to device1, each tether to a separate pair of slots. The last tether 2 a isconnected to slots 5 a and 5 f.

1.Since tethers engaging panel 5 can be removed from coiling element 4,connecting tethers 2 a-2 e to upper Tethers docking slot 5 a-5 e andlower Tethers docking slot 5 f-5 j and detaching them can be done eitherwhen the tethers engaging panel 5 is attached to the coiling element 4,or held separately from it.

2. In another embodiment, the slot pairs 5 a-5 e, 5 f-5 j are located ona detachable panel. This allows to firstly attach the tethers to theslots, then secondly to mount the panel in the device 1.

After all tethers 2 a-2 e are attached to coiling element 4 from oneside and to Bar 1 a from their other side, rotating the coiling element4 around its axis (by holding the handle arm 7 or using a mechanic orelectronic motor) would wound tethers 2 a-2 e onto coiling element 4.Rotating coiling element 4 around its axis in the opposite direction,(as well as pulling tethers 2 a-2 e away from device 1 and makingcoiling element 4 rotate around its axis) will deploy tethers 2 a-2 eaway from the device 1.

When tethers 2 a-2 e are attached to coiling element 4 they can be ledinto Collector entry 6 a so that they pass between Collector element 6and Upper grasp handle 8 a. This ensures that, while tethers are beingretrieved onto the coiling element 4, they would be directed betweencoiling element arm 4 a and 4 b, and also between coiling element arm 4c and 4 d.

3. After securing the ends of the tethers to the rotating part 4 of thedevice (for example by attaching these ends to the slots 5 a-5 j),rotating part 4 forward towards the bar la will cause the tethers to becollected in the device 1.

4. After securing the ends of the tethers to the rotating part 4, takingthe tethers bundle and inserting them through the collector entry 6 a,so that their path from the bar 1 a will pass through the gap under theupper grasp handle 8 a, and over the collector element 6, between thecoiling element arms 4 a and 4 b, and between 4 c and 4 d. Similarly,when rotating at opposite direction and deploying tethers 2 a-2 e awayfrom the device 1, they would exit device 1 and not engage with thecoiling element 4 when it rotates around its axis.

Coiling element arms 4 a-4 d have such a cross section so that they leadtethers 2 a-2 e in-between coiling element arm 4 a and 4 b andin-between coiling element arm 4 c and 4 d.

5. The gap between Upper grasp handle 8 a and the Collector element 6enables the tethers to enter, either each one separately or when severaltethers are unite together or divide into separate wires.

6. The user rotates the coiling element 4 forward using for example thehandle 7, in the direction of movement toward the bar 1 a. In theprocess, tethers are collected around the coiling element 4, as theypass under the Upper grasp handle 8 a and under the Collector element 6,and between Coiling element arms 4 a-4 d.

7. As the user approaches the bar 1 a, when the distance to bar 1 a istoo small to collect the tethers into one bundle to be collected oncoiling element 4, the user will attach the device 1 to the bar suchthat bar 1 a and device 1 are generally in parallel to each other, sothe two can be packed together.

While retrieving (or deploying) tethers 2 a-2 e onto (away from) device1, the user can put his arm on Upper grasp handle 8 a and lower grasphandle 8 b against his body in order to hold device 1 steady. Afterretrieving kite tethers 2 a-2 e, device 1 can be attached in parallel tokite-bar 1 a, by passing a rubber or similar elastic material straparound device 1 and the kite-bar 1 a together, using frame pins 9 a and9 b to secure it.

The tethers deployment methods detailed below can be used if the tetherswere previously collected as detailed above.

Method 3 for Deploying the Tethers (a Simple Method)

This method corresponds to the simple method 1 for collecting thetethers, assuming that the tethers were previously collected as detailedabove.

The user separates the device 1 from the bar 1 a. The bar is placed onthe ground, in the same orientation which was previously used to collectthe tethers.

The user stands with his back to the bar, holding the device 1 so thatUpper grasp handle 8 a is up, and the opening 9 is on the left side, asseen by the user, and the tethers pass in their path from the barthrough the space below Upper grasp handle 8 a, above the Collectorelement 6, between the Coiling element arms 4 a-4 d and on the coilingelement 4.

The user starts walking, so that the coiling element 4 rotates and thetethers unwrap and lay on the ground. He continues walking until thereis are no more tethers wrapped on the coiling element 4.

Starting from tether 2 a, the ends of tethers 2 a - 2 e are disconnectedfrom element 4 and are laid on the ground, this resulting in all thetethers being spread on the ground, from the bar 1 a to their otherends, without being entangled with each other.

The tether ends can now be connected to their respective places on thekite.

Method 4 for Deploying the Tethers (a More Complex Method)

This method corresponds to the method 2 for collecting the tethers,assuming that the tethers were previously collected as detailed above.

The user separates the device 1 from the bar 1 a. The bar is placed onthe ground, in the same orientation which was previously used to collectthe tethers.

Similarly the kite should be put in the same relative orientation anddirection to the bar when it was previously used to collect the tethers.

The user stands with his back to the bar, holding the device 1 so thatUpper grasp handle 8 a is up, and the opening in the frame 9 is on theleft side, as seen by the user, and the tethers pass in their path fromthe bar through the space below Upper grasp handle 8 a, above theCollector element 6, between the Coiling element arms 4 a-4 d and on thecoiling element 4.

The user starts walking, so that the coiling element 4 rotates and thetethers unwrap and lay on the ground. He continues walking until thereis are no more tethers wrapped on the coiling element 4.

The user then stands on the right side of the kite 15, and afterwardsturns to face the bar 1 a, without rotating or inverting the device 1with respect to the bar or kite, and holds the device 1 so that Uppergrasp handle 8 a is up, and the opening in the frame 9 is on the rightside, as seen by the user

The tether 2 a which is located closest to the opening in frame 9 istaken out of the slots 5 a, 5 f and disconnected from the slots, and itattached to the left and rear part of the kite 15 a.

Similarly, the ends of each of the tethers 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e are one byone disconnected from their corresponding slots and attached to theircorresponding locations 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 15 e on the kite 15.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of thetether deployment and retrieving device 1. The device includes a handle95—this is the fixed, holding part of the device; which is located aboutthe middle of the coiling element 4—this is the rotatable part of thedevice.

Ball bearings may be used, for example, to attach the handle 95 toelement 4, while allowing both to hold the device 1 and to rotate itspart 4.

The rotation is performed with the handle arm 7 for example.

As the part 4 is rotated, the tethers 2 a - 2 f are collected on part;if rotated in the opposite direction, the tethers are released from thedevice.

The present disclosure and the related drawings illustrate a tetherdeployment and retrieving device which allows a user to retrieve tethersand deploy them tangle-free, and therefore saves time in preparing andpacking his/her gear.

A method is illustrated for using the device.

Several preferred embodiments of the device and method are presented.

Note

In FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, the device is preferably held in such anorientation, that frame 9 is held in the left hand and the handle 7 inthe right hand of a right-handed person; thus the figures show thedevice as seen from the side of the user if they are right-handed; toshow the device as seen by a left-handed user while using it, a mirrorpresentation of the figures should be used, that is to flip the rightand left sides, so that part 9 is on the right side and part 4 on theleft side in FIG. 4A, and the other views changed accordingly.

The same consideration applies to FIGS. 5A-5D and 6A-6D.

This description of embodiments should not limit the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Rather, various other possible embodiments of the presentinvention will become apparent to users of such devices and personsskilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure and drawings.

1. A tether wires deployment and retrieving device comprising: a. afixed part for holding the device; b. a rotatable part, with means forrotatably attaching it to the fixed part; c. a plurality of attachingmeans mounted on the rotatable part, wherein each attaching means is sodevised as to hold an end of one tether wire, or a location near athether wire, attached to a fixed location on the rotatable part.
 2. Thetether wires deployment and retrieving device according to claim 1,wherein the fixed part for holding the device comprises a frame openedon one of its sides.
 3. The tether wires deployment and retrievingdevice according to claim 2, further including one or more collectormeans mounted at one end of the frame, wherein the frame has generallyelongated shape.
 4. The tether wires deployment and retrieving deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the rotatable part comprises two or morearms rotating about a central axis, and wherein the end of each armincludes a pair of coiling element arms for leading and holding tethersin-between them.
 5. The tether wires deployment and retrieving deviceaccording to claim 1, further including locking means for preventing,when activated, the rotation of the rotatable part with respect to thefixed part.
 6. The tether wires deployment and retrieving deviceaccording to claim 1, further including a single hand detachingmechanism for detaching the rotatable part from the fixed part.
 7. Thetether wires deployment and retrieving device according to claim 1,further including a handle attached to the rotatable part, for manuallyrotating the rotatable part about its axis.
 8. The tether wiresdeployment and retrieving device according to claim 1, further includingan electric motor attached between the fixed part and the rotatablepart, for rotating the rotatable part about its axis.
 9. The tetherwires deployment and retrieving device according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of attaching means is mounted a tethers engaging panel, andwherein the panel is mounted on the rotatable part, and wherein each ofthe attaching means comprises a slot for holding the end of the tethertherein.
 10. The tether wires deployment and retrieving device accordingto claim 9, wherein the panel is removably mounted on the rotatablepart.
 11. The tether wires deployment and retrieving device according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of attaching means is mounted a tethersengaging panel, and wherein the panel is mounted on the rotatable part,and wherein each of the attaching means comprises a pair of oppositelylocated slots.
 12. The tether wires deployment and retrieving deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the panel is removably mounted on therotatable part.
 13. The tether wires deployment and retrieving deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of attaching means ismounted a tethers engaging panel, and wherein the panel is mounted onthe rotatable part, and wherein each of the attaching means comprises aslot allowing a tether to be inserted therein to be held there.